New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

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‘Hannibal’ creator discusses bringing horror to small screen

via facebook.com

Moviegoers are no strangers to watching their favorite books leaping to the big screen. From million dollar franchises like “Harry Potter” to smaller fare like “Argo,” adapted screenplays have proven popular across a wide range of audiences — a trend that has become prevalent on television as well.

Given the success of shows like HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and FOX’s “Bones,” it seems that book-based series are going strong across all networks, both basic and cable.

Enter NBC’s “Hannibal.”

The latest creation from the imagination of Bryan Fuller (“Pushing Daisies,” “Wonderfalls”), the series follows the titular doctor — played by “Casino Royale’s” Mads Mikkelsen — during his time as an FBI-employed psychiatrist. Enlisted to look after the mental well being of gifted criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter engages in his first real game of cat-and-mouse as he helps Graham track down serial killers.

However, fans of the pre-existing Lecter-related media need not worry. In a conference call, Fuller said that the series will take place before the books and movies. In addition, Thomas Harris, the author of the book series, did not consult on the series, making it entirely Fuller’s vision.

“Given what’s already been written, I thought there was a lot that existed that hadn’t been explored yet,” Fuller said. “We were able to get into much more specifics with the character, particularly Will Graham’s character who Hugh Dancy plays so magnificently and wonderfully neurotically.”

Dancy is the latest movie star to grace the small screen, following in the footsteps of Kevin Bacon in “The Following” and Jessica Lange in “American Horror Story.”

And much in the vain of those shows, “Hannibal” adopts another trend — horror making its way to the small screen.  Though the subject material may have once been too dark for TV, recent programming has stretched the limits of what network programs can show.  And “Hannibal” gives longtime horror enthusiast Fuller an opportunity to express his passion for all things that go bump in the night.

“I think AMC proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is an appetite for horror … It’s a popular genre,” said Fuller. “So I think it was just a matter of it hadn’t been represented before. And now it has. And it was successful. So that success changes perception of a genre. And I think, you know, with the subject matter being dark, it may be, as with anything, a reflection of where we are in that place talking about gun laws and violence and reality.”

Nivea Serrao is a contributing writer.  Email her at [email protected].

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